Income inequality in the Netherlands is well below the EU average

Photo credit: DiasporaEngager (www.DiasporaEngager.com).

Inequality is generally expressed using the Gini coefficient <link 1>. The Gini coefficient takes the form of a value between 0 (representing a situation in which every household in a society has exactly the same income) and 1 (a situation in which only one household receives all the income while the others receive nothing). In 2022, income inequality according to the Gini coefficient was 0.285 in the Netherlands. Wealth inequality was much higher at 0.711, however. Wealth inequality fell sharply between 2015 and 2022 due to rising house prices.

Inequality in standardised disposable incomes
1977	0.240
1981	0.241
1985	0.239
1989	0.253
1990	0.269
1991	0.270
1992	0.267
1993	0.267
1994	0.268
1995	0.266
1996	0.269
1997	0.265
1998	0.263
1999	0.265
2000	0.274
2001	0.280
2002	0.279
2003	0.277
2004	0.281
2005	0.283
2006	0.280
2007	0.292
2008	0.284
2009	0.283
2010	0.281
2011	0.286
2012	0.288
2013	0.288
2014	0.302
2015	0.288
2016	0.289
2017	0.296
2018	0.290
2019	0.306
2020	0.292
2021	0.292
2022*	0.285
* provisional figure

Inequality in standardised disposable incomes
1977	0.240
1981	0.241
1985	0.239
1989	0.253
1990	0.269
1991	0.270
1992	0.267
1993	0.267
1994	0.268
1995	0.266
1996	0.269
1997	0.265
1998	0.263
1999	0.265
2000	0.274
2001	0.280
2002	0.279
2003	0.277
2004	0.281
2005	0.283
2006	0.280
2007	0.292
2008	0.284
2009	0.283
2010	0.281
2011	0.286
2012	0.288
2013	0.288
2014	0.302
2015	0.288
2016	0.289
2017	0.296
2018	0.290
2019	0.306
2020	0.292
2021	0.292
2022*	0.285
* provisional figure

Income inequality rose in the 1980s

Income inequality increased in the second half of the 1980s, following a severe recession. Wages subsequently rose sharply and the number of dual-income households also increased, while the minimum wage and many benefits remained frozen. Demographic trends such as ageing, immigration and the growing number of single-person households also played a role. The tax reforms implemented in 1990 then provided substantial tax relief for those in employment, in particular, and inequality rose once again.

The small increase in inequality seen in 2001 was also related to the tax reforms introduced that year. Subsequent increases in 2007, 2014, 2017 and 2019 were due to tax measures that benefited directors and major shareholders.

Ever more redistribution through pensions

The income received by households through work or from assets (primary income) is redistributed by the government through a system of levies, contributions and taxes on the on hand, and the distribution of benefits on the other. Inequality is higher before redistribution than after it: the Gini coefficient for primary income was 0.542 in 2022. Redistribution thus results in a reduction of inequality by 47 percent. State pensions and supplementary pensions combined accounted for most of this reduction. The remainder is attributable to other social benefits, contributions and taxes. The contribution of supplementary pensions to reducing inequality has increased as a result of our ageing population. But this effect stagnated between 2011 and 2022 because many pensions were capped or no longer indexed, and the retirement age also rose.

Income inequality in the Netherlands is relatively low

The Netherlands has the fifth lowest income inequality of all EU member states. Slovakia has the lowest inequality in disposable income, followed by Slovenia. Czechia also features in the top five countries with the lowest income inequality. In these Eastern European member states (just as in Belgium and the Netherlands), a relatively large amount of income is redistributed. In other Eastern European countries, by contrast, inequality is much higher. It is highest in Bulgaria. Income inequality is also high in many southern European member states, such as Portugal and Greece. Relatively little income is redistributed in these southern and eastern European member states.

Income inequality in EU member states¹⁾, 2023
EU-27	0.296
Slovakia	0.216
Slovenia	0.234
Belgium	0.242
Czechia	0.244
Netherlands	0.264
Finland	0.266
Poland	0.270
Ireland	0.274
Austria	0.281
Denmark	0.282
Hungary	0.290
Germany	0.294
Sweden	0.295
Cyprus	0.296
France	0.297
Croatia	0.297
Luxembourg	0.306
Romania	0.310
Spain	0.315
Italy	0.315
Estonia	0.318
Greece	0.318
Malta	0.330
Portugal	0.337
Latvia	0.340
Lithuania	0.357
Bulgaria	0.372
Source: CBS, Eurostat
¹⁾The figure for the Netherlands is for 2022 and differs from the figure referenced in the text in part because Eurostat uses a different source.

Income inequality in EU member states¹⁾, 2023
EU-27	0.296
Slovakia	0.216
Slovenia	0.234
Belgium	0.242
Czechia	0.244
Netherlands	0.264
Finland	0.266
Poland	0.270
Ireland	0.274
Austria	0.281
Denmark	0.282
Hungary	0.290
Germany	0.294
Sweden	0.295
Cyprus	0.296
France	0.297
Croatia	0.297
Luxembourg	0.306
Romania	0.310
Spain	0.315
Italy	0.315
Estonia	0.318
Greece	0.318
Malta	0.330
Portugal	0.337
Latvia	0.340
Lithuania	0.357
Bulgaria	0.372
Source: CBS, Eurostat
¹⁾The figure for the Netherlands is for 2022 and differs from the figure referenced in the text in part because Eurostat uses a different source.

Differences in income inequality within the Netherlands

In municipalities with higher average incomes (such as Bloemendaal, Laren, Blaricum and Wassenaar), income inequality is well above the national average and the Gini coefficient is around 0.50. Income inequality is often higher in university cities, too, because there is a relatively large disparity between low-income student households and other households.

In municipalities where many elderly people on lower incomes live, by contrast, incomes tend to be much closer together. This is the case in ageing municipalities in Limburg (such as Landgraaf and Brunssum), where income disparities are comparatively small. Income inequality is also lower in municipalities in the north of the Netherlands (such as Pekela, Veendam and Stadskanaal) for the same reason.

Income inequality (Gini coefficient) by municipality, 2022*
Groningen	0.36
Almere	0.25
Stadskanaal	0.23
Veendam	0.23
Zeewolde	0.26
Achtkarspelen	0.22
Ameland
Harlingen	0.25
Heerenveen	0.25
Leeuwarden	0.27
Ooststellingwerf	0.23
Opsterland	0.24
Schiermonnikoog
Smallingerland	0.23
Terschelling	0.36
Vlieland
Weststellingwerf	0.23
Assen	0.23
Coevorden	0.24
Emmen	0.23
Hoogeveen	0.22
Meppel	0.24
Almelo	0.24
Borne	0.24
Dalfsen	0.23
Deventer	0.25
Enschede	0.30
Haaksbergen	0.23
Hardenberg	0.23
Hellendoorn	0.22
Hengelo	0.25
Kampen	0.24
Losser	0.24
Noordoostpolder	0.24
Oldenzaal	0.24
Ommen	0.24
Raalte	0.23
Staphorst	0.25
Tubbergen	0.24
Urk	0.24
Wierden	0.26
Zwolle	0.27
Aalten	0.22
Apeldoorn	0.26
Arnhem	0.29
Barneveld	0.26
Beuningen	0.25
Brummen	0.26
Buren	0.27
Culemborg	0.25
Doesburg	0.24
Doetinchem	0.25
Druten	0.24
Duiven	0.23
Ede	0.26
Elburg	0.24
Epe	0.27
Ermelo	0.27
Harderwijk	0.24
Hattem	0.26
Heerde	0.23
Heumen	0.27
Lochem	0.29
Maasdriel	0.27
Nijkerk	0.27
Nijmegen	0.32
Oldebroek	0.23
Putten	0.27
Renkum	0.28
Rheden	0.29
Rozendaal
Scherpenzeel	0.23
Tiel	0.25
Voorst	0.26
Wageningen	0.41
Westervoort	0.22
Winterswijk	0.24
Wijchen	0.24
Zaltbommel	0.26
Zevenaar	0.23
Zutphen	0.24
Nunspeet	0.26
Dronten	0.25
Amersfoort	0.27
Baarn	0.31
De Bilt	0.34
Bunnik	0.25
Bunschoten	0.24
Eemnes	0.27
Houten	0.25
Leusden	0.26
Lopik	0.26
Montfoort	0.25
Renswoude
Rhenen	0.27
Soest	0.28
Utrecht	0.33
Veenendaal	0.24
Woudenberg	0.23
Wijk bij Duurstede	0.25
IJsselstein	0.27
Zeist	0.35
Nieuwegein	0.23
Aalsmeer	0.31
Alkmaar	0.26
Amstelveen	0.36
Amsterdam	0.38
Bergen (NH.)	0.34
Beverwijk	0.24
Blaricum	0.49
Bloemendaal	0.54
Castricum	0.27
Diemen	0.32
Edam-Volendam	0.26
Enkhuizen	0.26
Haarlem	0.29
Haarlemmermeer	0.27
Heemskerk	0.24
Heemstede	0.34
Heiloo	0.28
Den Helder	0.23
Hilversum	0.31
Hoorn	0.25
Huizen	0.30
Landsmeer	0.29
Laren	0.49
Medemblik	0.25
Oostzaan	0.25
Opmeer	0.26
Ouder-Amstel	0.32
Purmerend	0.25
Schagen	0.25
Texel	0.26
Uitgeest	0.24
Uithoorn	0.26
Velsen	0.26
Zandvoort	0.31
Zaanstad	0.25
Alblasserdam	0.25
Alphen aan den Rijn	0.25
Barendrecht	0.27
Drechterland	0.27
Capelle aan den IJssel	0.26
Delft	0.38
Dordrecht	0.26
Gorinchem	0.32
Gouda	0.26
‘s-Gravenhage	0.33
Hardinxveld-Giessendam	0.25
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht	0.25
Stede Broec	0.23
Hillegom	0.25
Katwijk	0.25
Krimpen aan den IJssel	0.26
Leiden	0.35
Leiderdorp	0.26
Lisse	0.26
Maassluis	0.25
Nieuwkoop	0.27
Noordwijk	0.30
Oegstgeest	0.33
Oudewater	0.27
Papendrecht	0.24
Ridderkerk	0.25
Rotterdam	0.31
Rijswijk	0.27
Schiedam	0.26
Sliedrecht	0.23
Albrandswaard	0.27
Vlaardingen	0.25
Voorschoten	0.29
Waddinxveen	0.24
Wassenaar	0.48
Woerden	0.27
Zoetermeer	0.24
Zoeterwoude	0.25
Zwijndrecht	0.25
Borsele	0.24
Goes	0.26
West Maas en Waal	0.25
Hulst	0.26
Kapelle	0.23
Middelburg	0.25
Reimerswaal	0.25
Terneuzen	0.25
Tholen	0.24
Veere	0.26
Vlissingen	0.24
De Ronde Venen	0.32
Tytsjerksteradiel	0.22
Asten	0.25
Baarle-Nassau	0.24
Bergen op Zoom	0.25
Best	0.26
Boekel	0.26
Boxtel	0.28
Breda	0.30
Deurne	0.24
Pekela	0.21
Dongen	0.24
Eersel	0.27
Eindhoven	0.31
Etten-Leur	0.24
Geertruidenberg	0.25
Gilze en Rijen	0.23
Goirle	0.25
Helmond	0.25
‘s-Hertogenbosch	0.28
Heusden	0.25
Hilvarenbeek	0.24
Loon op Zand	0.24
Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten	0.26
Oirschot	0.25
Oisterwijk	0.31
Oosterhout	0.26
Oss	0.25
Rucphen	0.25
Sint-Michielsgestel	0.27
Someren	0.26
Son en Breugel	0.27
Steenbergen	0.24
Waterland	0.29
Tilburg	0.29
Valkenswaard	0.25
Veldhoven	0.25
Vught	0.33
Waalre	0.30
Waalwijk	0.25
Woensdrecht	0.25
Zundert	0.26
Wormerland	0.26
Landgraaf	0.23
Beek	0.25
Beesel	0.22
Bergen (L.)	0.23
Brunssum	0.22
Gennep	0.23
Heerlen	0.24
Kerkrade	0.24
Maastricht	0.35
Meerssen	0.25
Mook en Middelaar	0.30
Nederweert	0.24
Roermond	0.25
Simpelveld	0.23
Stein	0.22
Vaals	0.28
Venlo	0.25
Venray	0.24
Voerendaal	0.25
Weert	0.25
Valkenburg aan de Geul	0.27
Lelystad	0.25
Horst aan de Maas	0.23
Oude IJsselstreek	0.23
Teylingen	0.28
Utrechtse Heuvelrug	0.32
Oost Gelre	0.23
Koggenland	0.24
Lansingerland	0.28
Leudal	0.24
Maasgouw	0.24
Gemert-Bakel	0.24
Halderberge	0.25
Heeze-Leende	0.26
Laarbeek	0.24
Reusel-De Mierden	0.23
Roerdalen	0.23
Roosendaal	0.24
Schouwen-Duiveland	0.28
Aa en Hunze	0.25
Borger-Odoorn	0.24
De Wolden	0.26
Noord-Beveland	0.28
Wijdemeren	0.34
Noordenveld	0.24
Twenterand	0.22
Westerveld	0.26
Lingewaard	0.24
Cranendonck	0.24
Steenwijkerland	0.25
Moerdijk	0.25
Echt-Susteren	0.24
Sluis	0.26
Drimmelen	0.25
Bernheze	0.27
Alphen-Chaam	0.26
Bergeijk	0.26
Bladel	0.24
Gulpen-Wittem	0.25
Tynaarlo	0.25
Midden-Drenthe	0.23
Overbetuwe	0.24
Hof van Twente	0.25
Neder-Betuwe	0.26
Rijssen-Holten	0.27
Geldrop-Mierlo	0.26
Olst-Wijhe	0.23
Dinkelland	0.25
Westland	0.26
Midden-Delfland	0.28
Berkelland	0.23
Bronckhorst	0.27
Sittard-Geleen	0.25
Kaag en Braassem	0.28
Dantumadiel	0.22
Zuidplas	0.26
Peel en Maas	0.23
Oldambt	0.24
Zwartewaterland	0.24
Sûdwest-Fryslân	0.25
Bodegraven-Reeuwijk	0.28
Eijsden-Margraten	0.24
Stichtse Vecht	0.30
Hollands Kroon	0.24
Leidschendam-Voorburg	0.30
Goeree-Overflakkee	0.26
Pijnacker-Nootdorp	0.27
Nissewaard	0.23
Krimpenerwaard	0.26
De Fryske Marren	0.25
Gooise Meren	0.36
Berg en Dal	0.26
Meierijstad	0.25
Waadhoeke	0.22
Westerwolde	0.23
Midden-Groningen	0.24
Beekdaelen	0.24
Montferland	0.24
Altena	0.26
West Betuwe	0.26
Vijfheerenlanden	0.25
Hoeksche Waard	0.26
Het Hogeland	0.23
Westerkwartier	0.23
Noardeast-Fryslân	0.23
Molenlanden	0.28
Eemsdelta	0.23
Dijk en Waard	0.23
Land van Cuijk	0.24
Maashorst	0.25
Voorne aan Zee	0.27
* provisional figures

Income inequality (Gini coefficient) by municipality, 2022*
Groningen	0.36
Almere	0.25
Stadskanaal	0.23
Veendam	0.23
Zeewolde	0.26
Achtkarspelen	0.22
Ameland
Harlingen	0.25
Heerenveen	0.25
Leeuwarden	0.27
Ooststellingwerf	0.23
Opsterland	0.24
Schiermonnikoog
Smallingerland	0.23
Terschelling	0.36
Vlieland
Weststellingwerf	0.23
Assen	0.23
Coevorden	0.24
Emmen	0.23
Hoogeveen	0.22
Meppel	0.24
Almelo	0.24
Borne	0.24
Dalfsen	0.23
Deventer	0.25
Enschede	0.30
Haaksbergen	0.23
Hardenberg	0.23
Hellendoorn	0.22
Hengelo	0.25
Kampen	0.24
Losser	0.24
Noordoostpolder	0.24
Oldenzaal	0.24
Ommen	0.24
Raalte	0.23
Staphorst	0.25
Tubbergen	0.24
Urk	0.24
Wierden	0.26
Zwolle	0.27
Aalten	0.22
Apeldoorn	0.26
Arnhem	0.29
Barneveld	0.26
Beuningen	0.25
Brummen	0.26
Buren	0.27
Culemborg	0.25
Doesburg	0.24
Doetinchem	0.25
Druten	0.24
Duiven	0.23
Ede	0.26
Elburg	0.24
Epe	0.27
Ermelo	0.27
Harderwijk	0.24
Hattem	0.26
Heerde	0.23
Heumen	0.27
Lochem	0.29
Maasdriel	0.27
Nijkerk	0.27
Nijmegen	0.32
Oldebroek	0.23
Putten	0.27
Renkum	0.28
Rheden	0.29
Rozendaal
Scherpenzeel	0.23
Tiel	0.25
Voorst	0.26
Wageningen	0.41
Westervoort	0.22
Winterswijk	0.24
Wijchen	0.24
Zaltbommel	0.26
Zevenaar	0.23
Zutphen	0.24
Nunspeet	0.26
Dronten	0.25
Amersfoort	0.27
Baarn	0.31
De Bilt	0.34
Bunnik	0.25
Bunschoten	0.24
Eemnes	0.27
Houten	0.25
Leusden	0.26
Lopik	0.26
Montfoort	0.25
Renswoude
Rhenen	0.27
Soest	0.28
Utrecht	0.33
Veenendaal	0.24
Woudenberg	0.23
Wijk bij Duurstede	0.25
IJsselstein	0.27
Zeist	0.35
Nieuwegein	0.23
Aalsmeer	0.31
Alkmaar	0.26
Amstelveen	0.36
Amsterdam	0.38
Bergen (NH.)	0.34
Beverwijk	0.24
Blaricum	0.49
Bloemendaal	0.54
Castricum	0.27
Diemen	0.32
Edam-Volendam	0.26
Enkhuizen	0.26
Haarlem	0.29
Haarlemmermeer	0.27
Heemskerk	0.24
Heemstede	0.34
Heiloo	0.28
Den Helder	0.23
Hilversum	0.31
Hoorn	0.25
Huizen	0.30
Landsmeer	0.29
Laren	0.49
Medemblik	0.25
Oostzaan	0.25
Opmeer	0.26
Ouder-Amstel	0.32
Purmerend	0.25
Schagen	0.25
Texel	0.26
Uitgeest	0.24
Uithoorn	0.26
Velsen	0.26
Zandvoort	0.31
Zaanstad	0.25
Alblasserdam	0.25
Alphen aan den Rijn	0.25
Barendrecht	0.27
Drechterland	0.27
Capelle aan den IJssel	0.26
Delft	0.38
Dordrecht	0.26
Gorinchem	0.32
Gouda	0.26
‘s-Gravenhage	0.33
Hardinxveld-Giessendam	0.25
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht	0.25
Stede Broec	0.23
Hillegom	0.25
Katwijk	0.25
Krimpen aan den IJssel	0.26
Leiden	0.35
Leiderdorp	0.26
Lisse	0.26
Maassluis	0.25
Nieuwkoop	0.27
Noordwijk	0.30
Oegstgeest	0.33
Oudewater	0.27
Papendrecht	0.24
Ridderkerk	0.25
Rotterdam	0.31
Rijswijk	0.27
Schiedam	0.26
Sliedrecht	0.23
Albrandswaard	0.27
Vlaardingen	0.25
Voorschoten	0.29
Waddinxveen	0.24
Wassenaar	0.48
Woerden	0.27
Zoetermeer	0.24
Zoeterwoude	0.25
Zwijndrecht	0.25
Borsele	0.24
Goes	0.26
West Maas en Waal	0.25
Hulst	0.26
Kapelle	0.23
Middelburg	0.25
Reimerswaal	0.25
Terneuzen	0.25
Tholen	0.24
Veere	0.26
Vlissingen	0.24
De Ronde Venen	0.32
Tytsjerksteradiel	0.22
Asten	0.25
Baarle-Nassau	0.24
Bergen op Zoom	0.25
Best	0.26
Boekel	0.26
Boxtel	0.28
Breda	0.30
Deurne	0.24
Pekela	0.21
Dongen	0.24
Eersel	0.27
Eindhoven	0.31
Etten-Leur	0.24
Geertruidenberg	0.25
Gilze en Rijen	0.23
Goirle	0.25
Helmond	0.25
‘s-Hertogenbosch	0.28
Heusden	0.25
Hilvarenbeek	0.24
Loon op Zand	0.24
Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten	0.26
Oirschot	0.25
Oisterwijk	0.31
Oosterhout	0.26
Oss	0.25
Rucphen	0.25
Sint-Michielsgestel	0.27
Someren	0.26
Son en Breugel	0.27
Steenbergen	0.24
Waterland	0.29
Tilburg	0.29
Valkenswaard	0.25
Veldhoven	0.25
Vught	0.33
Waalre	0.30
Waalwijk	0.25
Woensdrecht	0.25
Zundert	0.26
Wormerland	0.26
Landgraaf	0.23
Beek	0.25
Beesel	0.22
Bergen (L.)	0.23
Brunssum	0.22
Gennep	0.23
Heerlen	0.24
Kerkrade	0.24
Maastricht	0.35
Meerssen	0.25
Mook en Middelaar	0.30
Nederweert	0.24
Roermond	0.25
Simpelveld	0.23
Stein	0.22
Vaals	0.28
Venlo	0.25
Venray	0.24
Voerendaal	0.25
Weert	0.25
Valkenburg aan de Geul	0.27
Lelystad	0.25
Horst aan de Maas	0.23
Oude IJsselstreek	0.23
Teylingen	0.28
Utrechtse Heuvelrug	0.32
Oost Gelre	0.23
Koggenland	0.24
Lansingerland	0.28
Leudal	0.24
Maasgouw	0.24
Gemert-Bakel	0.24
Halderberge	0.25
Heeze-Leende	0.26
Laarbeek	0.24
Reusel-De Mierden	0.23
Roerdalen	0.23
Roosendaal	0.24
Schouwen-Duiveland	0.28
Aa en Hunze	0.25
Borger-Odoorn	0.24
De Wolden	0.26
Noord-Beveland	0.28
Wijdemeren	0.34
Noordenveld	0.24
Twenterand	0.22
Westerveld	0.26
Lingewaard	0.24
Cranendonck	0.24
Steenwijkerland	0.25
Moerdijk	0.25
Echt-Susteren	0.24
Sluis	0.26
Drimmelen	0.25
Bernheze	0.27
Alphen-Chaam	0.26
Bergeijk	0.26
Bladel	0.24
Gulpen-Wittem	0.25
Tynaarlo	0.25
Midden-Drenthe	0.23
Overbetuwe	0.24
Hof van Twente	0.25
Neder-Betuwe	0.26
Rijssen-Holten	0.27
Geldrop-Mierlo	0.26
Olst-Wijhe	0.23
Dinkelland	0.25
Westland	0.26
Midden-Delfland	0.28
Berkelland	0.23
Bronckhorst	0.27
Sittard-Geleen	0.25
Kaag en Braassem	0.28
Dantumadiel	0.22
Zuidplas	0.26
Peel en Maas	0.23
Oldambt	0.24
Zwartewaterland	0.24
Sûdwest-Fryslân	0.25
Bodegraven-Reeuwijk	0.28
Eijsden-Margraten	0.24
Stichtse Vecht	0.30
Hollands Kroon	0.24
Leidschendam-Voorburg	0.30
Goeree-Overflakkee	0.26
Pijnacker-Nootdorp	0.27
Nissewaard	0.23
Krimpenerwaard	0.26
De Fryske Marren	0.25
Gooise Meren	0.36
Berg en Dal	0.26
Meierijstad	0.25
Waadhoeke	0.22
Westerwolde	0.23
Midden-Groningen	0.24
Beekdaelen	0.24
Montferland	0.24
Altena	0.26
West Betuwe	0.26
Vijfheerenlanden	0.25
Hoeksche Waard	0.26
Het Hogeland	0.23
Westerkwartier	0.23
Noardeast-Fryslân	0.23
Molenlanden	0.28
Eemsdelta	0.23
Dijk en Waard	0.23
Land van Cuijk	0.24
Maashorst	0.25
Voorne aan Zee	0.27
* provisional figures

Source of original article: Statistics Netherlands (CBS) (www.cbs.nl).
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FAQs

Income inequality in the Netherlands is well below the EU average | Statistics Netherlands (CBS)? ›

In 2022, income inequality according to the Gini coefficient

Gini coefficient
The Gini coefficient is an index for the degree of inequality in the distribution of income/wealth, used to estimate how far a country's wealth or income distribution deviates from an equal distribution.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Gini_coefficient
Gini coefficient - Wikipedia

was 0.285 in the Netherlands. Wealth inequality was much higher at 0.711, however. Wealth inequality fell sharply between 2015 and 2022 due to rising house prices.

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Which country has the highest income inequality in Europe? ›

In 2022, the highest levels of inequality in terms of disposable income in the EU were in Bulgaria (38.4), Lithuania (36.2) and Latvia (34.3). On the other hand, among the EU Member States, income was most equally distributed in Slovakia (21.2), Slovenia (23.1), Czechia (24.8) and Belgium (24.9).

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Is the Netherlands the most unequal country in the world? ›

This is why the Dutch economy is regarded by many as a “liberal paradise”. The interesting thing is that despite all their progressive policies, the Netherlands has the worst wealth inequality in the world with a Gini Coefficient of 0.902.

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Which country has the lowest inequality? ›

The country with the most egalitarian economy in the world is Norway. And it is also positively: it distributes its wealth upward, not downward. Its high rent per capita allows the Scandinavian country to implement policies aimed at redistributing wealth.

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What is the net worth distribution in the Netherlands? ›

The top 10% wealthiest households own roughly two thirds of total net wealth (Graph 3), with the top 1% owning more than 25% in 2017. According to the OECD Wealth Distribution Database, the Netherlands has the second highest wealth inequality after the United States (OECD 2018).

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What is the number 1 poorest country in Europe? ›

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Jun 28, 2024

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What 5 countries have the highest level of income in Europe? ›

The top 5 economies in Europe, based on GDP (nominal) as of recent data, are Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain. These countries have significant contributions to Europe's overall economic output and influence on the global stage.

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Is the Netherlands poor or rich? ›

The Netherlands is, in many regards, a very wealthy country. In Europe, the citizens of the Netherlands experienced the 5th highest average annual wage in 2021 with around 62,000 euros, putting it one place above its neighboring country of Belgium.

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The Low Countries are so called because much of their land along the North Sea coast and for some distance inland is either below sea level or just slightly above it. More than a quarter of the total land area of the Netherlands is below sea level, for instance.

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Is the Netherlands the freest country? ›

Status. The Netherlands' economic freedom score is 77.3, making its economy the 11th freest in the 2024 Index of Economic Freedom. Its rating has decreased by 0.7 point from last year, and the Netherlands is ranked 8th out of 44 countries in the Europe region.

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What is the income inequality in the Netherlands? ›

In 2022, income inequality according to the Gini coefficient was 0.285 in the Netherlands. Wealth inequality was much higher at 0.711, however.

What is the fairest country in the world? ›

In fact, Norway ranks as the country with the highest level of income equality, while also ranking second for gender equality worldwide. However, even though Norway is the fairest country, it still has much more work to truly become equal.

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Which US state has the least income inequality? ›

According to the American Community Survey's (ACS) 2019 estimate, Utah is the most equal state when it comes to income, while New York is the most unequal by this measure, with the Gini indices, before taxes and transfer, of 0.4268 and 0.5149, respectively. The uncertainties are not shown in the table.

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Who is the richest Dutch family? ›

Embark on an enriching exploration of Netherlands's dynamic billionaire landscape, where visionaries from diverse industries shape economic prosperity. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken & family, leads as the 1st in Netherlands, with $13.31B in Food & Beverage sector.

How did the Dutch get so rich? ›

Taking advantage of a favorable agricultural base, the Dutch achieved success in the fishing industry and the Baltic and North Sea carrying trade during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries before establishing a far-flung maritime empire in the seventeenth century.

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Where do the richest Dutch people live? ›

Bloemendaal and Wassenaar are the two municipalities in the Netherlands with the highest per capita income. The richest municipalities are mainly located in the province North Holland, the poorest in east Groningen and south Limburg.

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What country has the greatest amount of income inequality? ›

South Africa has the highest income inequality as measured by the Gini coefficient. Using this measure, a score of zero indicates no inequality, a score of 100 shows perfect inequality. South Africa has a GNI per capita of $12,938 according to 2021 data and adjusted for purchasing power parity.

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Who has the highest poverty rate in Europe? ›

The risk of poverty or social exclusion varied considerably across the EU Member States. Romania (32.0 %), Bulgaria (30.0 %) and Spain (26.5 %) reported the highest shares of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion in 2023.

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Where is income inequality highest? ›

New Orleans has the highest income inequality of major U.S. cities. While the highest earners make 7.8 times as much as the lowest earners in New Orleans, they still earn lower than average ($110,800) when compared to other cities.

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How does income inequality in Europe compare to the US? ›

Income inequality in the U.S. is higher than any country in Europe, even Russia. Wealth inequality is higher than all European countries except Russia and esoterically inegalitarian Sweden.

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Income inequality in the Netherlands is well below the EU average | Statistics Netherlands (CBS) (2024)

Income inequality rose in the 1980s

Ever more redistribution through pensions

Income inequality in the Netherlands is relatively low

Differences in income inequality within the Netherlands

FAQs

Income inequality in the Netherlands is well below the EU average | Statistics Netherlands (CBS)? ›

Gini coefficient - Wikipedia

What is the income inequality in the Netherlands? ›

References